Emmanuel established himself as one Tampa Bay’s top running backs during a standout career for the Pirates. His bruising rushing style complemented the shiftier Janarion Grant and helped take Pasco to the Class 5A state semifinals as a junior and to the region final as a senior.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Emmanuel rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his final three seasons, earning first-team all-Suncoast honors in 2011 and 2012. He finished his prep career with more than 3,700 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns.

Emmanuel starred in the first round of the 2012 playoffs, rushing for a game-high 135 yards and two touchdowns on offense while recording two tackles-for-loss and two pass breakups in a 34-10 win over Citra North Marion.

He landed offers from Rutgers, Memphis and FAU before signing day and was also heavily recruited by Appalachian State and North Dakota State.

Emmanuel plans to sign with the NCAA Division I-AA program on Monday, McHugh said.

The Orangeburg, S.C.-based Bulldogs compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.